349: Michele Sullivan: Looking Up, Turning Obstacles Into Advantages
Release Date: 09/21/2020
543: Resilience, Honor and Commitment: Leadership Lessons from POW Survivor Lee Ellis
Leaders Of Transformation
What does it take to build lasting resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity? In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Lee Ellis—leadership coach, award-winning author, Air Force veteran, and former POW in North Vietnam for over five years. Drawing on his extraordinary experiences of captivity, Lee shares practical wisdom on resilience, leadership, honor, and the true power of mission-driven living. Lee opens up about overcoming adversity as a prisoner of war, the critical role of commitment, faith, and community, and why self-acceptance and vulnerability are...
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542: Choosing Faith Over Fear: Bold Business Moves with Tamara Jackson
Leaders Of Transformation
How do you build a business that reflects your faith, fuels your purpose, and still drives results? In this power-packed episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Tamara Jackson—former Fortune 500 VP, CEO of Lead Reviver, founder of Beaconship, and creator of the GRASP faith framework. Tamara shares her journey of leaving corporate comfort to follow God’s calling, navigating unexpected pivots (including pandemic shutdowns), and proving that bold faith fuels both purpose and business success. You’ll discover how to make Spirit-led decisions with confidence, integrate faith authentically into...
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541: The Future of Giving: Adapting for the Next Generation with Jonathan Beck
Leaders Of Transformation
How do you grow predictable revenue for your non-profit initiative? In this value-packed episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Jonathan Beck, founder of WeGive—a powerful SaaS platform transforming how nonprofits and faith-based organizations engage donors and fuel their missions. After co-founding PayStand, a global leader in digital payments, and building a successful career in Silicon Valley, Jonathan felt a strong pull to return to his roots and serve the nonprofit world. With WeGive, he’s merging innovative technology with purpose, helping...
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540: Leading with Grace: Lessons from a Trailblazing Female CEO with Kash Rocheleau
Leaders Of Transformation
How do you lead a $30M company, raise a family, and break barriers in a male-dominated industry—all before 40? In this inspiring episode of Leaders of Transformation, Nicole Jansen sits down with Kash Rocheleau, the trailblazing CEO of Icon Foods. Kash’s unconventional journey—from stay-at-home mom to the youngest CEO in her industry—turns traditional leadership and success narratives on their heads. She opens up about redefining fulfillment, the realities of working motherhood, and her passion for unearthing and empowering unconventional talent. Discover how Kash shatters stereotypes,...
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539: Saving Lives with Clean Water Solutions with Kurt Avery
Leaders Of Transformation
How do you create world-changing impact and lasting profits at the same time? In this inspiring episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Kurt Avery, the founder of Sawyer—the company renowned for its cutting-edge products protecting people against sun, bugs, waterborne disease, and injuries worldwide. But Sawyer’s story isn’t just one of innovation and growth: it’s a powerful example of what happens when service, strategic thinking, and generosity fuel a business model. Since 2008, Sawyer has donated over 90% of its profits annually, working alongside 40 charities in 80 countries and...
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538: How to Lead in High-Stakes Environments with Jeffrey Sanow
Leaders Of Transformation
How do you lead under pressure—when the stakes are higher than ever? Join host Nicole Jansen as she welcomes Jeffrey Sanow—a highly decorated former senior CIA intelligence officer and social skills instructor—for a rare, behind-the-scenes exploration of negotiating, leading, and communicating in the world’s most demanding environments. Drawing on decades of experience from covert missions to boardrooms, Jeffrey shares hard-earned lessons in the art of human intelligence (HUMINT), the nuances of managing high achievers, and the subtle balance between respecting authority and staying...
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537: Cultivating Servant Leadership in Sales with Max Cates
Leaders Of Transformation
What if sales could be transformed from a high-pressure, toxic grind into an uplifting, collaborative, and deeply rewarding experience? In this insightful episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen welcomes Max Cates—award-winning author, nationally recognized sales leader, and founder of Servant Leaders in Sales—for a powerful conversation on revolutionizing the world of sales through the principles and practices of servant leadership. Drawing from 37 years of proven sales management success, Max reveals how empathy, sacrifice, teamwork, and accountability can supercharge...
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536: Navigating Leadership Shock with Pete Steinberg
Leaders Of Transformation
What if the key to thriving in leadership isn’t doing more—but leading with greater intention and authenticity? In this compelling episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with executive coach and former USA Women’s Rugby head coach Pete Steinberg, author of Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success. Drawing on decades of elite coaching and executive leadership, Pete introduces the concept of “leadership shock”—those jarring moments when once-successful strategies suddenly fail you. Pete unpacks the turning points he’s witnessed and lived...
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535: Unbreakable Spirit: The Inspiring Journey of Martial Arts Grandmaster Lawrence Stone
Leaders Of Transformation
What could you achieve if you let go of all excuses and limiting beliefs? In this deeply motivational episode, Nicole Jansen welcomes Lawrence “Stoney” Stone—a remarkable martial arts grandmaster, published author, stunt coordinator, rock band singer, and cancer survivor whose life story is anything but ordinary. Born with congenital hip problem, later with CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy) a degenerative nerve disease, Stoney has faced significant physical challenges since birth, yet has refused to let them define or limit him. From building future champions in his dojo to serving as...
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534: Anchored Leadership in a Shifting World with Rusty Rueff
Leaders Of Transformation
What if lasting success isn’t about what you achieve—but who you become? In this powerful episode, host Nicole Jansen sits down with Rusty Rueff—renowned tech executive, startup advisor, philanthropist, and co-author of Faith Code—to explore how inner purpose and spiritual identity provide the only truly unshakable foundation for life and leadership. Drawing from two decades of reflection, Rusty shares a compelling metaphor: Are you building your life on a solid platform (faith, values, purpose), or just stacking up flashy but fragile apps (titles, possessions, roles)? In this...
info_outlineMichele L. Sullivan is the author of Looking Up, a HarperCollins published book. With a unique and interesting perspective on life and business, Michele is a motivational speaker and strategic business advisor who has changed the course of millions of lives.
Michele was born with a very rare type of dwarfism. In spite of being looked down upon by others, she learned to look up and lead with an elevated view of others. It’s a philosophy that landed her at the helm of one of the world’s most prominent philanthropy organizations.
During her 30-year career at Caterpillar Inc., Michele held various globally influential leadership positions including director of corporate social innovation and president of the Caterpillar Foundation.
She was named by Inside Philanthropy as one of the 50 most powerful women in philanthropy and also served as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She was recognized as an AACSB 2018 Influential Leader (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Michele is a member of the ONE board of directors and past chair of the Greater Peoria Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Advisory Board.
What We Discuss With In This Episode
- The power of leaning in
- The conversation around political correctness
- The 3 pillars of the Caterpillar Foundation
- Michele’s current involvement at a grassroots level
- Michele’s experience meeting Bono
- Using your platform to lift people up
- Michele’s thoughts on leadership, inclusion, and diversity
- The challenges of being a leader
Episode Show Notes: https://tinyurl.com/yxj7bs7x
Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com
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